As an entity, Puebla FC, a small-time soccer club in the Mexican First Division, might be in a financial pickle, forced to scramble for money to pay its players just before the start of InterLiga.

But on the field and as a team, Puebla seems to be doing just fine. Thanks to a stroke of genius by former Major League Soccer star Carlos Ruiz and midfielder Nicolás Olivera’s nose for the goal, Puebla muscled its way into the InterLiga finals Wednesday night with a 1-0 victory over Jaguares of Chiapas at Robertson Stadium. The win, the team’s second in as many games, secured Group B leader Puebla (six points) at least second place in the standings with a game to go in the round-robin stage. CF Monterrey and Tigres UANL faced off in the nightcap of the Group B doubleheader. The top two teams at the conclusion of group play advance to a Jan. 13 finals doubleheader in Carson, Calif., with the two winners earning berths to Copa Libertadores, the most prestigious club soccer championship this side of the Atlantic. “We go step by step, game by game, but having played two good games and reached the finals really motivates us,” said Ruiz, a seven-year veteran of MLS. “Whatever happens off the field happens and we hope it is resolved, but on the field we look out for the best interest of the group.”

Putting it away

Olivera delivered the game-winner in stunning fashion, scoring on a powerful header from the penalty spot off a superb cross by Ruiz from the right side in the 67th minute. With a much more fluid game than its counterpart, Puebla dominated much of the contest, with Jaguares reacting in spurts. The Chiapas club managed to make it a dramatic finish, however, with five close calls in the final 10 minutes, including a close-range effort by Antonio Salazar. “It was a difficult game,” Olivera said. “We’re happy with how the team reacted.” Days before the start of InterLiga, Puebla players, with the support of coach José Luis Sánchez, refused to train and threatened to boycott the tournament unless the team caught up with their pay. A minority owner guaranteed the players’ salaries, and the dispute was soon settled.

Eyes on the prize

Now Puebla is closer to reaching Copa Libertadores for the first time, quite the accomplishment for a team that less than three years ago had to claw its way back to the top circuit after suffering relegation. “We have a coach who gets us motivated to play soccer and stay focused on what we need to do on the field,” Olivera said. "(The recent results) reflect our maturity level as a team.” bernardo.fallas@chron.com